“The human being is in the most literal sense a political animal, not merely a gregarious animal, but an animal which can individuate itself only in the midst of society.” –Karl Marx

Aristotle said: “With power of speech and moral reasoning, man is a social creature.” According to his work “Politics,” “Man is by nature a political animal” (the phrase can be taken a number of ways). One would suggest mans is naturally sociable and are drawn to political associations; however, another view sees politics based in violence and threats of violence, hinting at man’s “animal side.”
The Greek philosopher believes, those who turned their back on the violence also shuns society, declaring themselves “outlaws;” They are likened to a “bird which flies alone.”
Michael Macrone, who wrote “It’s Greek to Me! Brush Up Your Classics,” believes individuals tend to organize, which leads to political association. He said the building block of the state is the patriarchal household, which serves a family’s basic needs and provides protection. Households naturally band together into villages, which are capable of satisfying a broader range of needs and achieving a greater good—relative self-sufficiency.
For Aristotle, the state is considered the “greatest good.” However, Macrone points out, in its advanced form, as expressed in the modern political party system and negative campaigning, state politics impresses very few.

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Nearly every provincial government in the Western Visayas has acted late in terms of combating dengue fever and moves to declare a state of calamity has only come after the wide spread of the disease, along with casualties.
Across the country, the public is being advised, if they are suffering from  severe joint and muscle pain, swollen lymph nodes, headache, fever, exhaustion, and rash, they must visit the hospital as they are exhibiting symptoms of dengue fever.
According to the World Health Organization, dengue was first recognized in the 1950s during epidemics in the Philippines and Thailand. Today, the disease mostly affects Asian and Latin American countries.

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Alex P. Vidal, who is now based in New York City, used to be the editor of two local dailies in Iloilo./WDJ